founding father

noun

1

: an originator of an institution or movement : founder

2

often capitalized both Fs : a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.

specifically : a member of the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

Synonyms

• author
• begetter
• creator
• establisher
• father
• founder
• generator
• inaugurator
• initiator
• instituter
• institutor
• originator
• sire

Examples of founding father in a Sentence

a tribute to Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and the other Founding Fathers

Theodor Herzl is often credited as the founding father of modern Zionism.

Recent Examples on the Web

Thomas Jefferson, the six-part documentary series that premiered on the History channel Feb. 17 and is airing over three consecutive nights, presents an in-depth portrait of the founding father with the most complicated legacy. —Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025

This week’s cold open began with a setup that promised a founding fathers rap battle as Lin-Manuel Miranda appeared to great fanfare as Hamilton. —Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025

In 2017, manuscripts, personal letters and hundreds of other documents from founding father Alexander Hamilton’s desk sold for a total of $2.6 million at Sotheby’s in New York, according to the auction house. —Jack Guy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

First question, Who is one of the founding fathers of modern day comedy? —Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for founding father

• bother
• forefather
• godfather
• grandfather
• stepfather

Kids Definition

founding father

noun

found·​ing father

ˈfau̇n-diŋ-

1

: one that starts or helps to start an institution or a movement

2

often capitalized : a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.

Legal Definition

founding father

noun

found·​ing fa·​ther

often capitalized both Fs

: a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.

specifically : a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787